St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 2 - Term 2 (Thursday 29 April 2021)
‘It’s not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.’ Ann Landers.
Dear Parents/Guardians
Looking at the images of India as it struggles with the COVID pandemic brings to mind the frailty of humanity, and the need we have to help and support each other. The inconvenience of wearing a mask this week, and complaining about it just seems so selfish when we witness the suffering of so many people in a country devastated by this insidious virus. We are lucky; yes, and indeed we should be thankful for the community in which we live. Wearing masks this week provides a powerful symbol to our children of the need we have to care for ourselves and others. It provides a visible connecting point for children to discuss with their teachers what they see on TV and hear on the radio.
When the death toll is published, or the daily infection rate is shown on our screens children can become anxious and their anxiety can lead to seeking answers to questions which are deeply felt. Teachers play a significant role in allowing these questions to surface, and providing time to discuss these questions is vital. Like you, I find solace in knowing that our teachers and education assistants provide this care on a daily basis.
At St Jerome’s, our educator’s work is illuminated by faith and touched by the Gospel spirit of love and freedom. Jesus is central to everything we do, and His presence is recognised in our prayer, work and play. We work to educate the whole person for service in a world so desperately in need of kindness and compassion. This is our mission, and right now our work must support yours in nurturing these young people to live in a world so different to the one we grew up in. What our children learn now from you and I, as we witness our world struggling with this virus, will have an impact on their future. How blessed are we that God is present to us during this time.
The Lord be with you
Chris
We should pray
God, our Father and Father to all people in need, may Your Spirit inspire us to generosity of heart, so that our capacity for love is not for us alone, but is readily available to all people, especially those who experience little love and kindness in their lives. Amen.’
ANZAC Day Relection
At our whole school Gathering on Wednesday we were led beautifully by Thomas and Eva in an ANZAC day reflection and prayer service. We remembered, those who lost their lives through Australia's involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. There are many families in our community who have strong connections to this cause, and can share stories of courage, bravery and mateship.
Lest we forget
Mrs Roper
Year 6 Camp 2021
Last week, the Year 6 students attended Woodman Point for their annual camp. School camp is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop new skills, friendships and interests. In particular, the opportunity to foster independence, build confidence and develop their team working skills are such important aspects of camp. This year, our students participated in many activities which included archery, vertical challenges, team building, search and rescue, flying fox, raft building and kite making.
The Year 6 students, staff and parent volunteers had an amazing time participating in these exciting and challenging activities. Not only were we truly blessed with spectacular weather, we had such an amazing opportunity to watch the sun rise together as a group.
We would particularly like to thank Mr Galipo, Mr Favazzo, Mr Caputi, Mr Prelevich, Mrs Piotrowski, Mrs Harney, Mrs Dragicevic and Ms Mason who attended camp as parent volunteers. The success of the camp could not have taken place without them!
Mr Tucker, Mrs Vinkovich and Mrs Jardine
History of the Devotion to Mary in the month of May
For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of Mary to honour Mary, Mother of God. Not just a day in May, but the entire month.
It’s common for parishes to recite the Rosary on a daily basis during May, and many erect a special May altar with a statue or picture of Mary as a reminder of Mary’s month. Additionally, it’s a long-standing tradition to crown the statue of Mary during May – a custom known as May Crowning. Often, the crown is made of beautiful blossoms representing Mary’s beauty and virtue. It’s also a reminder to the faithful to strive to imitate our Blessed Mother’s virtue in our own lives. May Crowning, in some areas, is a huge celebration and is usually done outside of Mass, although Mass may be celebrated before or after the actual crowning.
St Jerome’s Parish will celebrate the Crowning of Mary at the 10am mass this Sunday and two of our students will have this honour.
The school will hold a short service in the quadrangle at 8:45am on Tuesday morning to recognize Mary as the mother of God by Crowning our statue of Mary. We will also have our travelling statues visiting each class for at least one day during the month of May. May is a month where we also focus on the Rosary and teaching our children how we pray the Rosary. Our children are encouraged to bring along a single flower to decorate their class altars and our statue of Mary sometime during the month of May.
The Rosary
The Rosary is one of the most cherished prayers of our Catholic Church. Introduced by the Creed, the Our Father, three Hail Mary’s and the Glory Be, and concluding with the Save Regina, the Rosary involves the reciting of five decades consisting of the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s and the Glory Be. While reciting the decades, the individual meditates on the saving mysteries of Our Lord’s life and Mary’s devotion to her beloved Son. As we journey through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, the individual brings to mind the Lords incarnation, His passion, death and His resurrection from the dead. In this way the Rosary assists us to grow in deeper appreciation of these mysteries and helps us to live our lives closer to God.
Being Active
Being active is very important for the health and well-being of our children and can have a great impact on the learning and concentration levels of children at school.
Did you know that children between the ages of Birth to 4 years old should have at least 180 minutes of physical activity a day with no more than 1 hour of sedentary behaviour? Children between 5 and 12 years of age should have at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day with no more than 2 hours of sedentary behaviour.
P&F News - Mother's Day Morning Tea
Gospel John 15:1-8
I am the vine, you are the branches
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I am the true vine,
and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;
these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,
and they are burnt.
If you remain in me
and my words remain in you,
you may ask what you will
and you shall get it.
It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,
and then you will be my disciples.’
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning .
We will remember them. LEST WE FORGET
Some quick bits …
No paragraphs, no homilies, just the facts, here goes ….
- The School Office is unattended after 3.30pm. OSHClub can care for any child after this time for late pick ups.
- Children should not be arriving on school grounds earlier than 8.15am unless involved in a supervised school activity.
- School Council meeting -Tues 4 May 2021 @ 7.00pm
- School Tour -Thurs 6 May 2021 at 9.30am
- P&F Meeting -Tues 11 May @ 7.00pm
- Pupil Free Day - Mon 7 June 2021 - WA Day
- Pupil Free Day - Tues 8 June - Catholic Day
Contact Details
Email: admin@stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Location: 38 Troode Street, Lake Coogee, WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9499 9500